Why under-fire Steve Borthwick may be a beneficiary of the RFU's toxic in-fighting and how England are facing another back-three injury worry ahead of the Six Nations, writes CHRIS FOY
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Steve Borthwick could inadvertently benefit from the civil war which has broken out at the RFU – as financial and governance chaos impacts on the hiring-and-firing culture in professional rugby. England’s head coach has been under fierce scrutiny and pressure after presiding over just five wins from 12 Tests during a calendar year of profound under-achievement. Autumn defeats at home against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa led to speculation about potential regime change – but now that is taking place within the governing body rather than the national management team.
![[Although Wales have had an awful run, head coach Warren Gatland managed to keep his job]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/01/93410545-14219415-Although_Wales_have_had_an_awful_run_head_coach_Warren_Gatland_m-a-117_1734918803543.jpg)
In theory, there is supposed to be an official performance review early in the New Year, but the union’s board and council may be far too busy with toxic in-fighting to spare much time for such distracting matters. And even if England stumble at the start of the Six Nations – away versus Ireland and in ‘Le Crunch’ against France at Twickenham – the RFU could be hurtling towards a seismic SGM and pre-occupied with its own internal meltdown and external unrest.
![[If the RFU sort out their civil war then Borthwick may be under more pressure to deliver results]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/01/93411795-14219415-If_the_RFU_sort_out_their_civil_war_then_Borthwick_may_be_under_-a-116_1734918803542.jpg)
Frankly, how big a deal are Test defeats when the whole fabric of the game is collapsing all around? Maybe that’s what has saved Warren Gatland for now. The Kiwi who has done so much for Wales over so many years could do nothing more for them this year than watch helplessly as they stumbled through a record-breaking run of 12 international defeats. There have been many Welsh lows before, but the current predicament surely takes the cake.
![[Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s shoulder injury is another potential back-three setback for England]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/01/93410999-14219415-Immanuel_Feyi_Waboso_s_shoulder_injury_is_another_potential_back-a-115_1734918803540.jpg)
